By Lisa Carolin
2014 just might be the year that Chelsea gets a dog park as more than 400 people in and around the city are part of a movement to create one.
Chelsea resident Janice Ortbring, who creates social media campaigns for her clients, says the proposal of a dog park in Chelsea has created “quite an action.”
“We have grown to over 400 people, readily engaging in story sharing, business promotion, and volunteering,” says Ortbring after starting a Facebook page.
In fact, several people have stepped up to take leadership roles.
“A dog park is great for the community, great for health for all of us and a fun place to be for your pet,” she says.
Ortbring and her husband, Todd, met with several people including Chelsea Mayor Jason Lindauer a few weeks ago to further the discussion of a dog park.
“When we met, Janice had thoughts on funding and location,” says Lindauer. “Nothing formal has been presented to the city at this time, but a dog park is a very worthwhile idea, and the city will work with Ortbring and her group toward a positive outcome.”
Janice Ortbring says that recently Sarah Brigham, who loves both dogs and Chelsea, decided to co-chair the dog park effort. They plan to meet in January to collect ideas with which they can speak to the community. In the meantime, they encourage people to join in the conversation on Facebook, and if they aren’t on Facebook, to email Ortbring at [email protected]
“Marketing, donations, site design, sponsorships, events, rules, fees…you name it, and we have someone interested in making sure that it gets done,” says Ortbring.
Among the local residents engaged in the Facebook discussion are Anne Armstrong who stated: “A dog park in Chelsea is long overdue. What an attraction for our current residents. Even more so what a selling point for future residents and dog lovers.”
Linda Girard stated, “Just imagine Chelsea could be known as a vacation destination for dog lovers- All our wonderful lakes and a great dog community. Pure Michigan.”
As far as property for a dog park, Lindauer says that they’ve talked about possible locations within the city that would be accessible to citizens.
“I think we’ve got the space somewhere, but organizing it into a constructive dog park requires more to it than just a piece of land,” says Lindauer.
His says a dog park needs include gates, separations of dogs by size, and areas for owners to walk with dogs.
Lindauer says he is hoping to meet next with Ortbring and her group in January or February.
Who is paying for this? Will tax money be spent on this? Where is it going to be located?
All plans are in the very preliminary stages at this point. When there is more information, we’ll bring it to you.
Lisa Allmendinger
Publisher
To Mr. Spirit:
Who is paying to treat your sewage? Who is paying to educate your children? Who is paying to fix the street in front of your house, for the wages of the Chelsea police and firemen who prevent the destruction of your property? We are. Speaking as a couple with no children who pay taxes to educate everyone else’s child, we are in favor of living in a thing called A COMMUNITY. And it would be excellent if someone raised the small cost required for a dog park for people to allow their dogs to run in a park safely, which is very good for the dogs’ health and gives something back to them for all that they do for us. Even though the quality of life here is already great (and the neighbors too), it would be a real enhancement.